Livelihood from deer farming for antlers

Ms. Hoang Thi Han, from Group 29, Ha Giang 1 Ward, has developed her economy through raising spotted deer.

Sustainable path

The family of Ms. Hoang Thi Han, residing in Group 29 , Ha Giang 1 Ward, is a pioneering household in raising spotted deer for antler velvet. Starting in 2021, her family boldly invested over 100 million VND to purchase 5 breeding deer.

Ms. Han shared: “Compared to raising pigs or chickens, deer are less susceptible to disease, but to achieve high efficiency, attention must be paid to the housing and feed sources. Deer enclosures are lined with rice husks and sawdust to prevent dampness and keep them dry and airy; in cold weather, they are covered with tarpaulin to keep them warm. The feed consists of grass, neem leaves, jackfruit leaves, corn kernels, etc., which are harvested naturally or purchased from reputable sources.”

After several years of perseverance, Ms. Han's family's deer farming model has proven remarkably effective, generating an average income of over 80 million VND per year. Currently, her farm houses 8 pairs of deer, used for both antler harvesting and breeding. Building on this success, Ms. Han actively shares her experience with other villagers, helping many households invest in this new direction of livestock farming.

Sika deer are gentle, easy to raise, and highly adaptable animals. According to Ms. Han, female deer only give birth to one fawn per year, so breeding is slow but stable. Meanwhile, male deer have high economic value thanks to their antlers. On average, a male deer can yield antlers worth 17 to 20 million VND per year. Notably, the older the deer, the more antlers can be harvested, with each deer producing antlers consistently for 10 years or more. In addition to harvesting antlers, healthy male deer are kept for breeding, helping to maintain and expand the herd.

Linking production of goods

Seeing the economic potential of Ms. Han's model, in early March this year, Mr. Nguyen Van Cu, from Group 34, Ha Giang 1 Ward, also invested 96 million VND to buy 5 spotted deer from a farm in Tan Ha Ward. Mr. Cu said: "Seeing other deer farmers share that deer are easy to raise, rarely get sick, and have abundant food sources from grass, corn, bananas, and various leaves with sap, my family decided to give it a try. The special thing is that the local area has established a stable supply chain for deer antlers, which helps us feel secure in developing our farming."

The deer farming model not only increases income for households but also opens up a direction for collective economic development, connecting breeders with the consumer market. In 2024, the Phuong Do Deer Farming Professional Group was officially established, bringing together 10 members with a total herd of nearly 60 deer. This is where households exchange experiences, provide technical support, and cooperate in product consumption, increasing the value of deer antlers - one of the high-value local specialties.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dang, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Ha Giang 1 Ward, said: “The deer farming model is clear evidence of the dynamism and creativity of the people in finding new directions to develop the rural economy. The local government always accompanies and supports the people with techniques, breeding stock, and connects them to markets for product consumption through cooperatives. This is a suitable direction that helps increase income and improve the lives of the people.”

The initial results of the deer farming model have confirmed its great potential in diversifying rural occupations. Expanding the model not only contributes to increasing people's income but also helps to effectively exploit land resources, utilize agricultural by-products, form a closed economic value chain, and move towards sustainable poverty reduction for local people.

Text and photos: Khanh Huyen

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/kinh-te/202511/sinh-ke-tu-nuoi-huou-lay-nhung-bde6856/